The expanding role of certified physician assistants in cardiac specialties

"According to current estimates from the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA), nearly 2,500 certified PAs work in cardiology, and another 3,000 certified PAs work in cardiac and thoracic surgery. That number is expected to rise as the number of PA programs will increase by 30% in the next 4 years, growth that may keep pace with an aging population that will need its fair share of PAs to meet the growing need for cardiology care."